1:1 The following is a record of what Jeremiah son of Hilkiah prophesied.1 He was one of the priests who lived at Anathoth in the territory of the tribe of Benjamin.
1:2 The Lord>2 began to speak to him3 in the thirteenth year that Josiah son of Amon ruled over Judah.
1:3 The Lord> also spoke to him when Jehoiakim son of Josiah ruled over Judah, and he continued to speak to him until the fifth month of the eleventh year4 that Zedekiah son of Josiah ruled over Judah. That was when the people of Jerusalem5 were taken into exile.6

1:6 I answered, “Oh, Lord God>,9 I really10 do not know how to speak well enough for that,11 for I am too young.”121:7 The Lord> said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ But go13 to whomever I send you and say whatever I tell you.
1:8 Do not be afraid of those to whom I send you,14 for I will be with you to protect15 you,” says the Lord>.
1:9 Then the Lord> reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I will most assuredly give you the words you are to speak for me.161:10 Know for certain that17 I hereby give you the authority to announce to nations and kingdoms that they will be18 uprooted and torn down, destroyed and demolished, rebuilt and firmly planted.”19

Visions Confirming Jeremiah’s Call and Commission

1:11 Later the Lord> asked me, “What do you see, Jeremiah?” I answered, “I see a branch of an almond tree.”
1:12 Then the Lord> said, “You have observed correctly. This means20 I am watching to make sure my threats are carried out.”21

1:13 The Lord> again asked me, “What do you see?” I answered, “I see a pot of boiling water; it is tipped toward us from the north.”221:14 Then the Lord> said, “This means23 destruction will break out from the north on all who live in the land.
1:15 For I will soon summon all the peoples of the kingdoms of the north,” says the Lord>. “They will come and their kings will set up their thrones24 near the entrances of the gates of Jerusalem.25 They will attack all the walls surrounding it, and all the towns in Judah.261:16 In this way27 I will pass sentence28 on the people of Jerusalem and Judah29 because of all their wickedness. For they rejected me and offered sacrifices to other gods, worshiping what they made with their own hands.”30

1:17 “But you, Jeremiah,31 get yourself ready!32 Go and tell these people everything I instruct you to say. Do not be terrified of them, or I will give you good reason to be terrified of them.331:18 I, the Lord>,34 hereby promise to make you35 as strong as a fortified city, an iron pillar, and a bronze wall. You will be able to stand up against all who live in36 the land, including the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and all the people of the land.
1:19 They will attack you but they will not be able to overcome you, for I will be with you to rescue you,” says the Lord>.